POLICE have issued a warning about car safety following a spate of car radio thefts in Stockton.

In recent weeks, thieves have made off with numerous car stereos, targeting CD players in particular.

The models most at risk appear to be later versions of the Ford Mondeo and Focus, although other makes have also been broken into.

Accompanying radio manuals are also going missing from the cars so police are urging motorists to take all documentation with them and, where possible, cover the radio fronts.

Cleveland police say most of the cars had alarms fitted, but these were useless because the thieves smashed windows to get in, which did not activate the alarms.